Dec 24 Q&A with Spoken

Spoken's new release, Breathe Again feels like a breath of fresh air from these hard rock veterans. Serving as a new chapter for Spoken, this album holds an overlying theme of positivity and overcoming darkness. With a hard hitting and emotional release behind them and a new year ahead, it is unsurprising that the band already has big plans for 2016, including a run with Disciple and Seventh Day Slumber. Read the entire interview and listen to single, "Falling Apart" below.

Interview by Shannon Shumaker

You guys are just releasing your new album, Breathe Again - what does this release mean to you?

Scoop Roberts [Guitar]: It means the beginning of a new chapter for Spoken. We’re pumped!

Can you tell us about the story behind Breathe Again? It seems that there are quite a few personal topics touched on in this album.

Matt Baird [Vocals]:Breathe Again is a record about overcoming darkness, and running toward the light. We often have conversations with people who are in a storm, and have no chance of survival alone. We as a band and individuals put our hope in Jesus, therefore we try to help others understand and embrace that same hope. We’re not trying to “make” people change, but most people who are tired and weary, have already tried everything else, and have found themselves alone. Breathe Again is about going through the fire, and actually making it to the other side.

Did you have any major goals in mind while working on Breathe Again? Anything that you really wanted to accomplish with it?

Scoop Roberts: As a band, we wanted to write a different kind of record than Spoken has released in the past, yet retain the sound that Spoken fans have come to expect. This wasn’t hard to do with new members and a new producer matched with Matt’s vocal style.

You also joined The Artery Foundation for this release. What drew you to the new label?

Scoop Roberts: Mike Milford is a personal friend of ours. He approached me at South By So What? back in March while I was out with Memphis May Fire. He said he wanted to sign the band so we kept in contact and 4 months later it was a done deal.

The first single you released from the album was the title track, “Breathe Again,” which features Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire - can you tell us a little bit about the song? What made “Breathe Again” the first song that you wanted listeners to hear?

Scoop Roberts: While I was demoing out music beds for the album, we had kinda came to a crossroads for the type of album we wanted to write. At the time it was a toss up between Breathe Again and what ended up being Surrender. Breathe Again was aggressive and melodic, so we leaned more heavily towards the song. Once we nailed down Cameron as our producer and found out he was going to be in Nashville recording MMF, we approached Matty about being apart of the tune an he was stoked about the idea, which made it an easy choice as a lead single.

You also recently released a video for “Falling Apart,” which you’ve mentioned is about your past. Looking back on your past, how do you feel you have grown over the past few years?

Matt Baird: I feel like I’m reminded daily that I can’t do this life alone, and I’m not supposed to do this life alone. My goal is to lead my wife, my children, my friends, and anyone I come in contact with, just a bit closer to their creator.

What would you like listeners to be able to take away from Breathe Again?

Matt Baird: If listens can walk away from this record feeling encouraged and empowered to face life and all it’s struggles, I feel like it served a great purpose.

After Breathe Again is out, do you have any big plans for the end of 2015 and start of the new year?

Scoop Roberts: We just finished a short run with 10 years, those shows were great and those guys were fun! Next we’re hitting the road with Disciple and Seventh Day Slumber for a few months, come hang with us!

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Scoop Roberts: Thank you for giving Spoken a career, thank you for supporting music and God Bless.